Grinding of Cocoa Beans in Europe Fell 7.4% in the Fourth Quarter of 2014

Cocoa consumption fell surprisingly sharply in the final months of 2014, a sign the broader global slowdown is having an effect on even those with a sweet tooth.

Data published Thursday showed the processing of cocoa beans in Europe fell 7.4% on the year in the fourth quarter to 323,061 metric tons. The figure published by the European Cocoa Association was well below market expectations of a decline of between 2% and 5%.